Arlene Darby Gass, of Moline, formerly of Rock Island, passed away Thursday July 17, 2014 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf.

A memorial visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, with a Memorial service following at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 3030 - 7th Ave., Rock Island. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, P.O. Box 279, Concordia, KS 66901 or a favorite charity.

Arlene was born in Salina, Kansas, the daughter of Paul and Vida Wilcox Darby. She married Cam Gass, they later divorced. She was a graduate of Marymount College, Salina and received her Masters from St. Xavier's University, Chicago. She taught for 34 years in Salina and Rock Island. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa.

She always put others first and was known for her tremendous generosity. Arlene's happy, positive outlook on life and genuinely caring attitude touched all of those who knew her.

She appreciated all of the love and support she received from friends and neighbors during her times of need.

Arlene is survived by her sons, Chip Gass, Springfield, IL and David and Kimberly Gass, Moline; grandson, Austin O'Brien and granddaughters, Olivia Darby, Cecilia Vida, Katherine, Elizabeth and Audrey Claire Gass; and her brother, Paul and Ruth Darby, Conroe, TX.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A very special thank you to the staff and volunteers at Clarissa Cook Hospice House for their compassionate care, and dedication.

THE DASH (By Linda Ellis)

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.

For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth, and now only those who love her know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own, the cars... the house.. the cash.

What matters most is how we live and love And how we spend our dash.